If Tim Cahill's second half header had gone in it would have been an incredible goal. He had his back facing the goal when he made contact! He's been a great player for Australia over the years, and will be missed when he retires.

I wonder why soccer isn't the major football code in Australia, or indeed the dominant sport as it is in most of the rest of the world? It would be good if it was, as over the years we might have become a world power in the game, up there with the likes of Germany and Brazil. We play other British sports like cricket and rugby, and have been a major force in the former on the world stage for some time, so our dearth of international success in soccer is puzzling. This is especially so, seeing that soccer is very popular at grassroots level (most popular sport in the country I've heard?), and we've produced some top ranked players over the years who have enjoyed individual success overseas.

It's indeed strange that none of Britain's English-speaking former colonies (Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) are traditional world powers in a game invented in Britain (with the exception of the US women's team perhaps?). Maybe the fact that these countries call it soccer rather than football might have something to do with it?

We have actually discussed this, and touched on it last night. I was in a Corp box with a bunch of our partners who are a mix of Italians, Croatians and phillipinos, only two of us are beyond 2nd generation Aussies. Everyone in the box was passionate about the Socceroos , but us two 5th gen Aussies were the least passionate of the lot. Funnily enough , the Italians pit it down to the fact that the theatre of the game , as they put it , which includes diving , faking injury etc to suck up time , all that garbage , actually doesnít fit well with the old school Aussie ethos of play hard but play fair. Where as those countries used to it donít see it as an issue. I reckon our Italian mates maybe onto it. Hence the reason itís the biggest sport for juniors but the numbers fall right away at about age 16, when the world changes for young blokes. Rolling around faking an injury would have you seen as a pussy. And thatís not on.

Agreed, they were playing for a draw, but to the Aussie's credit they did all the attacking.

I think the game now is so much bigger than what it was 20 years ago in Australia, all thanks to the socceroo's making the previous 3 WC and plus the ever successful A league gaining in popularity each season!!

I was glad when A-League came into being, as it did try and minimise the damage that was done in the past.

Even in the Illawarra region where I grew up, most of the local clubs were governed by the majority of the members by their ethnicity. My old man played for the Warilla Wanderers (1st grade) and later for Port Kembla, he was usually relegated to 2nd grade because of most of the time the club was generally controlled by one major ethnicity, and because he wasn't of that group, he was pushed back, even though a better player.

I think Johnny Warren, Les Murray and Frank Lowry knew that was holding back in Australian soccer. They fought hard to change the attitude of the club and game controllers and knew that we produced some terrific talent, but retaining that talent was another thing when it came to the local game, and also how the rest of the world viewed Australia's position as a nation regarding it players. How many times that Australian Players playing in overseas clubs were not released by those clubs for national games?

Not only that, having to compete in the Asian district instead of the lowly Oceania, at least we had some decent opposition to see where we are truly at, instead of playing against lower standard teams, only to be found out when playing against a stronger South American country to qualify for the World Cup.

While it may take some time for the game to really become a force in terms of national sports, but considering how many types of sports we do play here in Australia, and considering the size of our population, we do well to punch above our weight.

And yes, trying to milk penalties is not Australian at all. We are tough like that, and this is because we have to be tough in our country. We have to deal with dry hot climate for most of the country, some of the most poisonous snakes, spiders in the world live in our backyards, killer kangaroos, and even our coast line is being patrolled by sharks. Crikey!

Agreed, they were playing for a draw, but to the Aussie's credit they did all the attacking.

I think the game now is so much bigger than what it was 20 years ago in Australia, all thanks to the socceroo's making the previous 3 WC and plus the ever successful A league gaining in popularity each season!!

When it comes to sports that Australia hasn't traditionally been strong in, we often don't start taking an interest in them until Aussies start doing well in them on the world stage. Examples are 500cc motorcycle racing (Wayne Gardiner then Mick Doohen) and marathon/long distance running (Robert de Castella, Steve Monaghetti and Lisa Martin).

While it may take some time for the game to really become a force in terms of national sports, but considering how many types of sports we do play here in Australia, and considering the size of our population, we do well to punch above our weight.

And yes, trying to milk penalties is not Australian at all.

Perhaps in many soccer strong countries there aren't many other sports to choose from, especially poorer countries, where it doesn't cost much to kick a soccer ball around.

Agreed about it being not in our nature to milk penalties or try other similar carry on when on the sporting field.

It's indeed strange that none of Britain's English-speaking former colonies (Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) are traditional world powers in a game invented in Britain (with the exception of the US women's team perhaps?).

Well its getting very close now to the first game of the WC-2018. For me there will be plenty of sleepless nights coming up.

Who is your tip for the WC?

For me I think Germany will go a long way in defending their title, but my tip is for Belgium to go the whole way.And the Aussie's to make the round of 16 and perhaps cause an upset or two along the way!!

Well the Aussie certainly weren't disgraced tonight, a suspect penalty and a fortuitous goal against them. France certainly didn't look like one of the favourites to win the WC cup tonight.

Absolutely Eddy.We were far from humiliated and took it to one of the best teams in the world. France were lucky. We were not.At least the REAL football in Australia has a world tournament to play in. Look out Denmark and Peru.

BTW, which country is the next "All Australian AFL team" playing against?